Work Authorization Information
On-Campus Employment
- Student must be in F-1 status.
- Student must seek out the position on-campus.
- Positions are limited and students are not guaranteed employment.
- Students are limited to 20 hours per week while courses are in session. Students may work more during breaks from courses.
Social Security Cards
- Students must have an offer of employment and a letter to support this offer before requesting a social security number.
- Upon receiving the offer of employment, students must see the Designated School Official to obtain a letter of support and further instructions for obtaining a social security number.
Severe Economic Hardship
- Student must have been enrolled full-time at Iowa Western Community College on an F-1 visa and must have maintained legal status for the past academic year.
- Student must apply for work authorization through the Designated School Official at Iowa Western Community College and through USCIS.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Student must have maintained his or her status at Iowa Western Community College for the past academic year.
- Student must apply for OPT through the Designated School Official at Iowa Western Community College and through USCIS.
- Student must apply before the last date of the student’s last classes to be eligible, but at the beginning of the last semester is recommended.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Student must have been enrolled full-time at Iowa Western Community College on an F-1 visa and must have maintained his or her status for the past academic year.
- Student must register for the internship course that applies towards his or her academic degree program requirements.
- Student must obtain a job offer for the internship.
- Student must be authorized by the Designated School Official in SEVIS and must obtain a Form I-20 with CPT authorization on page 3 in order to begin work.